Chapter 369
Chapter 369
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 369
Chapter Title: Many Wear Lee Soo-hyuk's Mask
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Many people wore Lee Soo-hyuk's mask. Especially when a major confrontation like this was about to begin, even more masks came into view.
So, spotting Lee Soo-hyuk's mask wasn't anything special. He'd already seen it several times just today.
But among the people gathered here, no one was unaware of the identity of the figure behind that mask.
Streamer Lee Soo-hyuk.
Who else but him could stand in the way of Blue Zone?
Rumors had even spread recently that Lee Soo-hyuk had taken down the War God Jin Do-ha. For someone like that, it was only natural to have the guts to block Blue Zone and Kim Il-su.
Kim Il-su, who had been walking along as if nothing was amiss, stopped a few steps away. As he halted, the guild members following behind him also stopped.
Now facing each other up close like this, Kim Il-su asked,
"What are you doing here? Everyone's waiting for your stream."
It was a friendly tone, as if addressing a close friend.
A reaction like, Is it okay to say that with everyone watching? Kim Il-su watched with interest to see how Soo-hyuk would respond.
He'd expected a cold reaction, but surprisingly, Soo-hyuk's reply was warm.
"Looks like you're a viewer too."
"I'm enjoying it."
"I'll be back soon, so look forward to it. Planning a flashy comeback."
Kim Il-su's eyes sparkled. To his ears, Soo-hyuk's words didn't just sound like a streamer's return.
A return as Lee Soo-hyuk himself.
It meant he was coming back not as a streamer, but as the real Lee Soo-hyuk.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Yeah. It'll be the broadcast you're most excited for."
"By the way, how are Ye-ryeong and Si-woo doing?"
Kim Il-su smiled brightly. Even with half his face covered by the mask, he was wearing an expression like another mask.
It was a brazen question. Who had made their lives so difficult up until now?
He'd said it to provoke anger, but Soo-hyuk smiled back from behind his mask.
"You didn't ask about Hye-min."
For a brief moment, Kim Il-su's half-exposed face twitched.
But that passed quickly.
"Sorry. I forgot."
"See you again soon."
"Yeah."
It looked just like running into a close friend and parting ways naturally.
In fact, Kim Il-su brushed past Soo-hyuk at such close range that a swing of his sword could have severed his neck.
As he passed by Soo-hyuk without a care, Kim Il-su turned and muttered,
"......He's not taking the bait."
He'd expected such a dramatic, emotional reunion. Something far more intense.
But it was so bland and calm. That made Kim Il-su even more uneasy. If it had been emotional, it would've been much easier to handle. He might have even found a weakness.
He knew it. This wasn't a real reunion—just a teaser.
Struggling not to turn back toward Soo-hyuk as he passed, Kim Il-su quickened his pace.
Waiting for Soo-hyuk at the cafe while sipping drinks were Si-woo and Unhyang.
Seemingly already aware of who Soo-hyuk had met, Si-woo asked,
"How'd it go?"
Soo-hyuk had gone to meet Kim Il-su intentionally. It wasn't a chance encounter. Since he'd prepared himself mentally, he could respond calmly.
Sitting down across from them, Soo-hyuk said,
"He was thrashing around, begging me to kill him."
Did he really mention Ye-ryeong and Si-woo out of genuine concern? No, he'd carefully chosen words to provoke Soo-hyuk.
With Jin Do-ha dead, Kim Il-su had no choice but to be anxious. To survive, he needed Soo-hyuk to overstep somehow.
"Looks like you held back well."
"Nothing to hold back against."
"Really? I figured you'd at least get mad, even if you held it in."
"I went in expecting that too, but... somehow..."
Why was that? He soon realized the reason.
"He looked cornered."
Si-woo nodded.
Starting with Blue House, Kim Il-su must have been feeling the noose tightening. The Poison King was dead, Nerada too. And now even Jin Do-ha.
Kim Il-su knew by now that brute force wouldn't work. He had only one option left: protect Blue Zone's claim to Blue Eyes' legacy.
"What? Feeling sorry for him?"
"No sympathy. Just curious."
"About what?"
"He said Jin Do-ha betrayed us out of anxiety. That everything he'd built and had to achieve felt meaningless because of me. That was his reason for betrayal. So what about Kim Il-su?"
Kim Il-su's betrayal wasn't impulsive or emotional. Considering he'd been linking up with the Deep Sea even back when Nerada was tower lord, he'd clearly planned it long ago.
But contrary to Soo-hyuk's pondering, Si-woo responded indifferently.
"Does that matter?"
His face said, Why bother analyzing that?
Soo-hyuk chuckled and nodded at Si-woo's words.
"You're right. No matter the reason, I wasn't planning to forgive him."
"Same here. I didn't feel angry seeing that guy either."
Recalling Kim Il-su showing up with Jin Do-ha to kill them, Si-woo muttered,
"......Pathetic bastard."
With that, their conversation paused for a moment. Unhyang, having listened silently, kept her lips tightly pressed.
Where would their end be? Was Kim Il-su really Soo-hyuk's goal?
As if by prior agreement, both turned to look out the window. Si-woo was expressionless, and Soo-hyuk's face was hidden behind his mask.
In that brief silence,
"There you are."
The guest they'd been waiting for arrived.
A face they hadn't seen in a while. It was Big Mouth.
"Come on in. Have a seat."
Soo-hyuk guided him to a chair. The three sat side by side, with Big Mouth across from them.
The issue specialist streamer and renowned reporter pulled out a business card.
"I'm Big Mouth. Nice to meet you."
There were three cards, but his gaze was fixed on Si-woo. It seemed surreal to see the vanished legend right in front of him.
"Kim Si-woo. I don't have a card to give."
"Your face is your card."
"It worked better back in the day."
A humble remark about past glories. But Big Mouth shook his head.
"You're even more famous now."
As he spoke, Big Mouth glanced at Soo-hyuk. He truly hadn't expected this person to become so huge.
"Long time no see, Mr. Soo-hyuk. You've become such a big shot, I don't know how to act."
"Same as always. Be comfortable."
"Easier said than done?"
Big Mouth laughed out loud. Though invited to relax, he was humbling himself.
It didn't feel sleazy. More like socially adept and skilled in the ways of the world.
After exchanging a few words on recent events, Big Mouth's eyes gleamed.
"You're giving me a huge scoop?"
"Yes. You'll like it."
"I'm excited. Every move you've made lately has been scorching hot."
On the way here, Big Mouth's heart had pounded more than ever.
Soo-hyuk's actions were all exclusives. A string of feats anyone would think, Who could pull this off?
Of course, that drew ire from some.
Suspicions that Si-woo and Ye-ryeong might be linked to Lee Soo-hyuk's death. Fears they could be traitors like Hwang Gyu-seong, colluding with demons.
Those doubts lingered in people's minds.
"You have something to turn this situation around?"
To Big Mouth's intrigued question, Soo-hyuk shook his head.
"The opposite."
"Pardon?"
Soo-hyuk's gaze turned to Unhyang. And the story began.
Big Mouth, who had pulled out a notepad to jot down the article material so he wouldn't forget, stopped writing. It was a tale impossible to forget.
Above all, as Soo-hyuk said, this was the complete opposite of turning the situation around.
Once the whole story was told, Big Mouth cautiously spoke up.
"......If this gets out, it won't be good for you, Mr. Soo-hyuk."
"I know."
"It could be dangerous for me too."
"If it's too much, I'll find another reporter. Feel free to decline."
How could he refuse when asked like that? Besides, without the passion to risk his life for a scoop, Big Mouth wouldn't have reached his current position.
But his concern was different.
"It might not be reversible. To turn this around, the dead Lee Soo-hyuk would have to come back alive. Why on earth are you asking me to run this story?"
In other words, it was impossible.
"Yes."
Soo-hyuk nodded at Big Mouth's words.
"That's why I'm doing it first."
Returning to the guild house on the 7th floor, Kim Il-su headed to his study.
Blue Zone's guild house was filled with old photos. Claiming to carry on Blue Eyes' tradition, fragments of the old Blue Eyes' history adorned the walls.
His study was no different.
Photos of old comrades. Pictures and records taken with them.
Kim Il-su's gaze swept over them. Soo-hyuk and Ye-ryeong, Si-woo, Hye-min and Su-hun, Ji-young...
At some point, he'd stopped attaching much meaning to these photos. But lately, he'd grown afraid to look at them.
Kim Il-su had visions of the people in these photos coming to life and strangling him.
"Get rid of these photos."
With that one command, Kim Il-su went to find his new vice guild master.
Blue Zone's new vice guild master was Pierre. He'd always thought he was out of favor, so it was unexpected when Kim Il-su appointed him.
"You called?"
"There's work to do. We need to hurry before the confrontation starts."
"What is it?"
"I'm releasing an article. Lee Soo-hyuk's manager is the bloodline of the Heavenly Demon."
Pierre's eyebrow twitched. A subtle shift in expression.
The moment he sensed something off.
"I was just about to report it to you."
Pierre pulled out a wide-screen kit. An article was displayed on it.
It had just been posted, yet it already had impressive views. The reporter's name was Big Mouth.
This wasn't some clickbait from views-chasing reporters. No bold journalist would dare use the Heavenly Demon's name as bait.
Kim Il-su's eyes trembled faintly. He should be thrilled that the article he wanted was plastered big, but oddly, he wasn't.
Only a handful knew that Soo-hyuk's manager, Unhyang, was the Heavenly Demon's bloodline. Kim Il-su himself wouldn't have known without close ties to Un Cheon-geuk or Jin Do-ha.
"Shall I trace the source?"
Sensing Kim Il-su's unusual reaction, Pierre asked astutely.
But there was no need.
"It's Lee Soo-hyuk."
"Pardon?"
Pierre wore a look of disbelief.
Lee Soo-hyuk himself had released the article that would backfire most on him?
Kim Il-su shared the same doubt.
"You... what the hell are you thinking?"